3 Inches of Blood has been around for nearly 8 years and have released 3 albums:

“Battlecry under a Winter Sky” (2002), “Advance and Vanquish” (2004) and their brand

new release, “Fire up the Blades”.

I’m not familiar with their first two albums so I can’t compare it this spanking new album

but one thing is for sure... “Fire up the Blades” is surprisingly good. The promo-CD I’m holding in my hands contains 13 tracks and bands like Mercyful Fate, Judas Priest, Iron Maiden and a few 80’s Speed Metal bands come to mind when “Fire up the Blades” rotates in my CD-player.

Jaime Hooper and Cam Pipes vocals are at times close to a screaming Rob Halford and King Diamonds falsetto. But it’s the guitar riffs and melody lines from guitarists Justin Hagberg and Shane Clark that make this album such a pleasant surprise. One riff after another kicks my sorry little white ass and 80’s Speed Metal bands come to mind again. At times they even remind me of the Thrash Metal kings, Slayer.

This album might not catapult them into the premier league of Metal, but it’s still quite refreshing to listen to a band that plays straightforward Metal just the way most Metal fans like it. The tracks are sometimes fast, sometimes slower and then everything in one, but always with power behind it.

“Fire up the Blades” needs a few listen to grow... in my humble opinion 4 to 5 listens but it gets better with every listen. So don’t give up on it and throw in the bin if it doesn’t hit you at first. Give it the time it needs to grow.

The production is powerful and crystal clear so do check it out if you’re into above mentioned bands and 80’s Speed Metal.

Good buy :)